The Study of Cytotoxicity of an Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquid on MCF-7 Cell Line

Abstract

Ionic liquids are liquid in wide range and could be applied in many fields. These compounds can be used as solvents for inorganic and organic synthesis and show biological activities. 1-ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium bromide (1) as an ionic liquid has been synthesized from the reaction of 1-methylimidazole and ethylbromide in toluene as solvent and under refluxed condition. The prepared compound was characterized by ¹H-NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The effect of cytotoxicity of -ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium bromide (ion liquid)on the MCF-7 cell line has been investigated. The cytotoxic activity of synthesis compound was assessed by the MTT colorimetric method in vitro assay performed in human MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line. Dose effect of compound was investigated and results showed that the cytotoxic effect was dose-dependent. The decrease of concentration of ion liquid was followed by markedly increase of tumor cell viability. The cytotoxicity of 1-ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium bromide, expressed as IC50 values after 48 h incubation. This value was 2.91 mM for mcf-7 cell line.